The Head of the Security Service of Ukraine Vasyl Maliuk and G7 Ambassadors have met to discuss cooperation for the sake of Ukraine’s Victory in the war against russia, as well as further steps for the democratic development of our country and ensuring freedom of speech.

The meeting, initiated by the SSU, took place in Kyiv. The G7 was represented by the Ambassadors Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Pier Francesco Zazo (Italy), Gaël Veyssière (France), Martin Jäger (Germany), Natalka Cmoc (Canada), Matsuda Kuninori (Japan), as well as Chargé d’affaires a.i. Nicolas Harrocks (the UK), Acting Deputy Head of Mission James Hope (US) and Azier Santillan from the EU Delegation to Ukraine.

Vasyl Maliuk briefed the partners on the SSU’s contribution to the defense of Ukraine and how the Service counters external and internal enemies. The major achievements are the blowing up of the Crimean bridge, ousting of russia from the Black Sea with the help of our own unique developments – maritime surface drones, the destruction of numerous pieces of enemy military equipment, as well as russian military facilities and infrastructure supporting the aggressor’s military-industrial complex, and other special operations that change the picture of the war.

‘The SSU’s results are really plentiful. SSU officers fight in the hottest spots. During almost two years of the full-scale war, over 930 of our servicemen have received state awards, including 12 Heroes of Ukraine. SSU’s combat units destroyed russian armored vehicles worth more than USD 1 billion and more than 500 tanks. We also exposed 47 enemy agent networks over the last year. These numbers speak for themselves,’ the SSU Head emphasized.

Vasyl Maliuk thanked the partner states for their support of Ukraine. In turn, the G7 representatives noted the high level of the SSU’s special operations and the professionalism of the Service in countering russian aggression at the front and conducting counterintelligence activities.

The Head of Service also spoke about the SSU’s readiness to protect democratic values, one of the key pillars of which is the freedom of speech.

The Ambassadors received answers on the situation around Bihus.Info. According to Vasyl Maliuk, a number of personnel decisions have been taken, including the dismissal of the head of the National Statehood Protection Department and reformatting of the work of the department’s units which need changing and strengthening.

‘The independence of mass media must be 100% guaranteed. This is a standard that we must uphold really well, especially in the midst of the war. I will not allow any violation of this crucial principle of democracy in the in the SSU’s activities,’ he stressed.

The SSU Head also praised the high level of cooperation with partner security and intelligence services.

‘The war continues, and we are facing new challenges. The SSU is preparing new special operations and I hope they will be successful,’ Vasyl Maliuk concluded.